Catnip Scares Mozzies

Catnip, the plant that does for cats what chocolate does for humans, could be an effective substitute for the active agent in insect repellant say scientists.

The botanic objecty of moggy affections has proved to be as effective in giving the metaphorical finger to insects as DEET (Diethyl-m-toluamide), at a ten times greater concentration. Interesting stuff as DEET , which is the most widely used active ingredient in insect repellants, is notoriously unpleasant stuff and can strip paint and damage clothing.

So far tests haven't progressed as far as use on human skin and there are doubts over whether catnip is capable of producing a long-lasting pong, but it's certainly an interesting development.

What though if the scientists have got it wrong and anything attractive to cats proves to be an effective insect repellant? How long before we're soaking our clothing in mackerel oil before braving the mozzies or slinging living mice from the brims of our hats to scare the midgies off? It makes you think. Actually it makes me think I'd rather stay indoors.

It'll never catch on. For the full, more sensible story, see the New Scientist site.